Improvement in clothes-line protectors and stretchers



-WILLIANI I. RIPLEY.

Improvement in Clothes-Line .Protectors apd-Stre'tchers No. II4,345.

Patenied May 2,1871.

lnitii iatet -WILLIAM J. RIPLEY, 0F GINGINNATIQOHIO.

Letters Patent No'. 114,345,.dated May 2, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT lN-CLO'THES-LINE PROTECTORS AND STRETCHERS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.`

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. RIPLEY, of Oincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Olothes-Line Protector and Stretcher; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawing making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective, and

Figure 2 is a'longitudinal horizontal cross-section.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

Tile nature of .my invention lrelates to a device for winding up and stretching clothes-lines, as well as for Vprotecting them from theri'njury of exposure to the weather, danger of loss from theft, and keeps them clean and unkinked. i

It consists of a suitable receptacle or box, with a shaft running longitudinally through the center on which rotates a windlass or reel.

The shaft is surrounded by ametallic tube, and this tube is covered by a rubber tube, to prevent the iron from rusting and thus injuring the clothes.

The disks of the windlass consist of a loose framework of castings covered by zinc or galvanized sheetiron.

Av crank outside the box communicates with the reel-by aclutch, and a lever projects in front, whereby the connection witlr the crank may be broken, euabling one to draw ont the rope Without effecting the state of the crank.

A pawl and ratchet on crank-hub holds the line atauy degree of tension required.

,A lid in front of the box is opened when the machine is to be put in use, Vand a `lock isprovided for locking up the box after winding the line.

Theconstruction of my invention is as follows:

A. is the box containing the reel;

B, the lid, represented open in the drawing; and

C, the lever operating the clutch D.

At E is seen the pawl, and

F the ratchet, secured permanently to the shaft G.

rBhe part of the shaft on which the clul ch Dis placed is made square, and the clutch litting it loosely, so as to allow its sliding longitudinally, but rotates with it.

The projection d engages with the frame H ofthe windlass.

The shaftD is surrounded by a metallic tube, I,

' which is secured to frame H, and some non-corroding sheet metal is formed around the frame H, as seen at 7i. The rubber tube J on tube Igives the action of the windlass an elasticity, and obviates the injury to the line from rust forming on the metallic tube I.

VAt K is a lock for securing the lid when the machine is out ot' use.

The crank L is permanent `onthe shaft G. lhe operation of my invention becomes obvious. When it is first put to use the lid B is opened, the lever C is moved to the right, disengaging the 'clutch D from the frame H; the `lihe M being drawn out, the

windlass rotates on the shaft G without moving theF crank L.

l After the line has been sufficiently drawn out, and having been run over suitable rollers,.and'the' end secured, the lever may be again pressed to theleft, andv the line may be-wound up by turningr the crank-L.

.After the clothes have been hung `on the line it may be stretched, so as' to keep the clothes Well oft' the ground.

The line may thus be lowered or elevated to suit occasion, and what has been a laborious task may hereby be made comparatively easy, and the risk of having a whole wash to fall to the ground tobe rewashed will be avoided.

It.will be observed1 that a part of the chainrepresented in the drawing is attached to the bars which form the boxes in which rotate Athe shaftv G. This takes all thestrain off the box, and should the line stretchby the effects of' moisture from/the clothes there will be no danger of breaking the box,.as all the strain is received by the bars.

Having thus described my invention, l

What I claim as new,` and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the clutch D d, lever C, and pawl and ratchet E F with the shaft G, as described, and armed wheel H; of a clothes-line reel, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The shaft G of a clothesline reel, when protected by an inner covering, I, of metal, and an outer one, J, of India rubber, substantially as and for 4the purposes described.

Witnesses: WM. J. RIPLEY.

T. VAN KANNEL, JOHNUANNON. 

